Wike Threatens to Blacklist Contractor Over Contract Failures

By: Wisdom Acka

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to blacklist Setraco, unless it keeps to contractual agreements entered into with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Setraco Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling construction of the Southern Park way by Ring Road I, has been warned to complete the project with all the necessary facilities, particularly streetlights, before May 29, 2024.

He gave the warning after inspection of some ongoing road projects in the Federal Capital City on Wednesday.

The Minister told the contractor that he would not accept any request for variation which could push the project cost high, particularly after paying
97 percent of agreed funds.

He said: “When I came on board, I had to call most of these companies and I asked them, will you be able to complete these projects so that it may be inaugurated as part of Mr. President’s first year anniversary? They agreed, then I said ok. We agreed on the funding pattern, and as far as FCTA is concerned, from the records, I have paid not less than 97 percent of the project, which was awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited”.

“When I asked about the street lights they talked about variation and I will never accept that because we funded the project very well without any failure on our part,” Wike said.

“I have categorically said that there cannot be any variation under the project and if they don’t complete it on time, I am going to blacklist the company,” he added.

“Nobody will play with us and nobody will try to outsmart us because we are not going to accept it. The Managing Director was there, and he knows that we are serious about it,” Wike stressed.

The Minister, however, expressed happiness over quality of work by Gilmor on projects in Guzape and Katampe Districts; urging them to maintain high quality because FCT residents and indeed, all Nigerians, deserved quality work and services.